It's No Joke: Colbert Boosts Democracy

And gets betrayed by Jon Stewart

(NEWSER) - Stephen Colbert was proud of the 1% of the vote proxy Herman Cain earned in the South Carolina primary—"Eat it 'others' and 'statistical anomalies!" he declared triumphantly on last night's Colbert Report . "We made it to integers!" But it wasn't enough to keep him in the race. "It is with a heavy heart and a spastic colon that I am re-suspending Herman Cain's suspended campaign," he announced. More»

Super PAC also funds an ad urging South Carolina to vote for ... Herman Cain

(NEWSER) - Maybe giving Jon Stewart control of his super PAC wasn't Stephen Colbert's brightest move. On the Daily Show last night, Stewart confessed that he wasn't sure what to do with his newfound anonymously donated cash. "I'm just out here like a cartoon hobo that won the lottery," he said (while wearing a tiara). Thanks to FEC rules separating super PACs and candidates—"and because I don't speak to Stephen Colbert, except in phone and in person"—Stewart is left watching Colbert's TV appearances for signs of his intentions. More»

Jon Stewart throws his newfound money around

(NEWSER) - Looks like newly-minted presidential candidate Stephen Colbert is going to have a mostly unregulated "independent" super PAC throwing thousands of dollars' worth of ads around on his behalf in South Carolina—just like a real candidate! Yes, the "Definitely Not Coordinating with Stephen Colbert Super PAC," now run by Jon Stewart, is already buying ad time in South Carolina, with sources telling ABC News that it's snapped up almost $10,000 worth of airtime in Charleston between Jan. 15 and 19. More»

He's exploring run in SC, turns over super PAC to Jon Stewart

(NEWSER) - Stephen Colbert is pressing the joke: He announced tonight that he's exploring a presidential run in South Carolina, reports Politico . He even turned over control of his beloved super PAC to, yes, Jon Stewart to make it legal. “I am proud to announce that I am forming an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for my possible candidacy for president of the United States of America of South Carolina,” Colbert said. (The show airs later tonight.) More»

His list: Things he needs to tell the American people

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney is now in a dead heat with Newt Gingrich. In a bid to perhaps claw his way back into the No. 1 slot solo, he made his second appearance of the year on the Late Show last night, and shared the "Top 10 Things Mitt Romney Would Like to Say to the American People." OK, American People—here are some of the very important pieces of information Romney would like to make sure you know:

• "Isn't it time for a president who looks like a 1970s game show host?"